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English lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 45 minutes

Similes and metaphors

Vocabulary

CCSS L.4.5.ACCSS L.5.5.AEngland: Y4/5 Reading (figurative language)England: 11+ English

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Similes and metaphors.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Synonyms

Leads to: Idioms and proverbs; Figurative language: personification, hyperbole, alliteration, onomatopoeia; Literal or figurative meaning?

Materials: Word cards, A thesaurus or dictionary, A short text with the target words, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Synonyms). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which word means the SAME as "gift"? (present / storm / ladder / debt) → presentPrompt: A synonym has the same or nearly the same meaning.
  2. Which word is closest in meaning to "diligent"? (anxious / humble / lazy / hard-working) → hard-workingPrompt: One of the choices means the opposite. Don't be tricked!
  3. Choose the word that best fits the clue in brackets. The baby gave a ___ smile. (small and gentle) (angry / faint / wide / loud) → faintPrompt: Read the clue in brackets carefully.

Hook · 5 min

  • Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
  • Share the objective: Similes and metaphors. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Which kind of figurative language is this? The sun smiled down on the picnic.
  • Step 1: A simile compares using 'like' or 'as'; a metaphor says one thing IS another; personification gives human qualities to non-human things.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: personification
  • Answer: personification
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 10 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Which kind of figurative language is this? The baby's skin was as soft as silk. (simile / metaphor / personification) → similePrompt: Does it use 'like' or 'as' to compare?
  2. What does this metaphor mean? The road was a ribbon of moonlight. (It was blocked. / It was very dangerous. / It was made of cloth. / It shone and wound into the distance.) → It shone and wound into the distance.Prompt: A metaphor is not literally true.

You do: independent practice · 10 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Which kind of figurative language is this? Her smile was sunshine on a rainy day. (simile / metaphor / personification) → metaphorPrompt: Does it use 'like' or 'as' to compare?
  2. What does this metaphor mean? The test was a breeze. (It was cancelled. / It was windy outside. / It was very long. / It was very easy.) → It was very easy.Prompt: A metaphor is not literally true.

Watch out for

  • Picking a "bigger" synonym that doesn't fit the meaning.
  • Ignoring the clues in the rest of the sentence.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Synonyms.
  • Use concrete materials: word cards.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Idioms and proverbs; Figurative language: personification, hyperbole, alliteration, onomatopoeia; Literal or figurative meaning?.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-4.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Similes and metaphors

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    What does this metaphor mean? Her voice was music to his ears.

    • A. He was pleased by what she said.
    • B. She spoke very loudly.
    • C. She was singing a song.
    • D. He could not hear her.

  2. Question 2

    Which kind of figurative language is this? My brother is a couch potato.

    • A. simile
    • B. metaphor
    • C. personification

  3. Question 3

    What does this metaphor mean? The classroom was a zoo after lunch.

    • A. It was noisy and wild.
    • B. It was very clean.
    • C. It was empty.
    • D. There were animals in it.

  4. Question 4

    Which kind of figurative language is this? Her smile was sunshine on a rainy day.

    • A. simile
    • B. metaphor
    • C. personification

  5. Question 5

    What does this metaphor mean? She was a rock for her family.

    • A. She never spoke.
    • B. She was strong and dependable.
    • C. She was hard and cold.
    • D. She was heavy.

  6. Question 6

    Which kind of figurative language is this? The classroom was a zoo after lunch.

    • A. simile
    • B. metaphor
    • C. personification

  7. Question 7

    What does this metaphor mean? The test was a breeze.

    • A. It was very easy.
    • B. It was cancelled.
    • C. It was windy outside.
    • D. It was very long.

  8. Question 8

    Which kind of figurative language is this? The lake was like a mirror.

    • A. simile
    • B. metaphor
    • C. personification

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Answer key: Similes and metaphors

  1. 1. A. He was pleased by what she said.

  2. 2. B. metaphor

  3. 3. A. It was noisy and wild.

  4. 4. B. metaphor

  5. 5. B. She was strong and dependable.

  6. 6. B. metaphor

  7. 7. A. It was very easy.

  8. 8. A. simile